The Awakening

The Survivalist #10

by Jerry Ahern

No human being could possibly escape death when the earth's atmosphere explodes into a blazing wave of global fire. But John Thomas Rourke, ex-CIA Covert Operations Officer, weapons specialist, and survival expert would not be denied another chance at life. His family and friends are alive and about to enter a cruel, desolate new world. Thinking that The Retreat is the last refuge of life on earth until the Eden Project returns, Rourke is stunned to find that others have also survived the fiery holocaust. Yet these humans live to kill and kill to live, eating the flesh of their victims. Rourke and all he holds dear will soon be nothing but gnawed bones unless he once again makes the most of his skills as The Survivalist.

Genres: Post Apocalyptic, Action, Dystopia, Fiction, Adventure, Survival, Science Fiction

Audiobook

First published November 1, 1984

About the author

Jerry Ahern (born Jerome Morrell Ahern) was a science fiction and action novel author best known for his post apocalyptic survivalist series The Survivalist. The books in this series are heavy with descriptions of the weapons the protagonists use to survive and prosecute a seemingly never-ending war amongst the remnants of the superpowers from pre-apocalypse times.

Ahern was also a firearms writer, who published numerous articles in magazines such as Guns & Ammo, Handguns and Gun World.

Jerry Ahern passed away on July 24, 2012 after a long struggle with cancer.

Ahern also released books under pseudonym Axel Kilgore.

Reviews

[Bill Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best 80’s post apocalyptic series. This one takes the series in a new direction after our protagonists awaken from cryogenic sleep 500 years later. Some interesting twists and turns and moral and ethical dilemmas.

[Oliver Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable entry in the series with a massive twist that I really enjoyed. There’s some great action and a lot of manly soul searching about a decision Rourke has to make (the choice he lands on is truly messed up). Includes cannibals and weird guys in business suits.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic audio book was the most bananas of them all. How are they going to do 20 more books? I cannot believe John thought it was a good idea to unfreeze his kids early to pimp them out to Paul & Natalia so now they’re all the same age.. oh and now there are cannibals and the main Russian bad guy survived?!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Część dziesiąta przyjemnego odzwierciedlenia kina akcji w klimatach postapo z czasów filmów na kasetach wideo.

[Joseph B · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Survivalist enters a new era; five centuries into the future. Ahern's radical shift into this new setting is polarizing; as evidenced by the mostly love it or hate it reviews. Personally I felt it worked for me, despite some shortcomings I've come to know all too well reading (rather listening) through this series. However some recycled story beats paired with skimping of some new ones did leave me a tad bit disappointed.

John Rourke and his family, his best friend Paul, and his almost-lover Natalia awaken from cryostasis almost 500 years after the events of the last novel. John actually awakens his children early, trains them for 5 years, then enters stasis once more so they can be almost the same age as their parents in a bid for more survival... and chance at repopulation. This is a large source of tension in the novel. And this does allow the kids, now adults, to have some personality (even hampered by dated gender roles). But we do get a bit of more of the same despite the time jump; and the Eden Project is left for the next novel.

Overall the novel is a solid 2/5 as a piece of fiction, 3/5 as post-apocalyptic pulp. Ahern might be able to steer the series in an interesting direction but it's hard to tell off one book.

[Tom Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fun book to read back in the 80s. Doesn't hold up to modern review but I was a kid and enjoyed the continuation of the story.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old school pulp fiction at it's best. Bad dialog, over the top characters and plot holes you could drive a truck through. Very enjoyable!

[Regalia Lenzi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kolejny tom potwierdza - Rurke uwielbia bawić się w boga. Nie dość, że postanawia ograbić Sarę z dzieciństwa ich dzieci, to jeszcze bawi się w swata. Oczywiście dla 'dobra' ludzkości... Gdybym mogła tego szmaciarza wyciągnąć z książki, to bym go stłukła.

[Nicholas · Rating 1 out of 5]

Eh . . . uh . . . This one is not good. Here Ahern decides to use his weakest skills, character and dialogue. Rourke enacts a plan that is . . . not a good idea, and I'm not even talking the psychological impact on those involved. I mean scientifically, and he should know it. But that's not the real problem. The real problem is that Rourke's kids and wife were always boring characters with a boring story.

The Awakening makes Rourke's wife even less interesting (wah, cry some more), and he tries to give the children more personality, but fails in that while doing a superior job of reinforcing gender roles (Annie gets to cook and sew while Michael gets to go explore the world).

Ultimately, while this should have been a game changer, you can see that it's going to result in the same basic stories we've already read, but the mooks will have different descriptors. And an old bad guy who was never interesting is returning. Meh.

Very disappointing resolution to what had promise to be a damned interesting twist.

[Carlton Noble · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tired of hearing about Natalia's love for John and the contanst pushing of that issue. It's not realistic nor does the constant telling of each other that they love another and then having to talk about what to do about his wife is nonsense. I've stopped listening to them for while. I can't handle that stupidity. The author should have made him a pervert if that is what he wanted this part of the storyline is ludicrous.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a reset, as we are now 500 years in the future. Rourke makes a choice that is both logical and monstrous, and it is dealt with in a surprisingly realistic manner. A good jumping on point.

[Little Timmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite adventure series. Dr John Thomas Rourke leads his family and friends through a post apocalyptic world fighting ever step if the way. Fantastic characters and plots. Very detailed weapon descriptions. Excellent series. My highest recommendation

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my review under "Total War," Survivalist Book 1.

[Ron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Post-apocalyptic pulp goodness.

[Kurt Vosper · Rating 3 out of 5]

see book 1

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was fun easy reading in my teens. Would actually like to pick one up again and see what I think now. :D

[Andy]

(PB)